Hundreds lose jobs as Disney World layoffs accelerate

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-disney-world-layoffs-032620090,0,3479231.story

 

[disney1990]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-disney-world-layoffs-032620090,0,3479231.story

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

It's so sad for those who lost their jobs and also for those left behind. If this quarter isn't stronger for Disney......how many more will be let go in the next few months?

The parks may be filled with people....but they are taking advantage of so many discounts......then more frugal when they visit.

Can we start a "be kind to your castmembers" drive....pick a week.....and those visiting go out of their way to make castmembers smile with kindness?

Our next trip is to DL and not until later in the year.....what do you think?

 

[MemoToMe]

I personally know of at least 2 people who have been put on "adminitrative leave" from WDW. Thankfully, I know of others who have been spared the axe.

I know that it has been mentioned before, but even though the parks are doing brisk business, the shops and restaurants are still having a hard time. For example, four of us went to have tea at the Grand Floridian today. Usually, this is booked solid from opening to closing, but while we were there, we saw many opportunities where anyone could have walked up and have been seated immediately. I saw the same thing at the Yak and Yeti restaurant at DAK yesterday as well as the new T-Rex restaurant at Downtown Disney last week.

I feel that the parks really need to step it up, and give people a real reason to come. Something like "The American Idol Experience" is not going to cut it. Especially when parks like Universal and Sea World are spending millions of dollars on new attractions to lure people away from Disney.

 

[Dznefreek]

There was a snippet on the news this am basically saying attendance is good but guest spending once they arrive is waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy down and that is what is causing the layoffs.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

There was a snippet on the news this am basically saying attendance is good but guest spending once they arrive is waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy down and that is what is causing the layoffs.

This is true. Even I, who still thankfully have a job and just survived the Disney layoffs (for now), am cutting down on spending. Pedicure every 6 weeks or so? I can do without. Stretch out the manicures, etc. Even before the layoff news, I cut back. I think people just are getting into a very cautionary mood.

Unfortunately, this kind of attitude also badly affects my little corner store nail place, as I no longer get my nails done as much as I used to. So it's all a circle.....

 

[granmanh603]

I personally know of at least 2 people who have been put on "adminitrative leave" from WDW. Thankfully, I know of others who have been spared the axe.

I know that it has been mentioned before, but even though the parks are doing brisk business, the shops and restaurants are still having a hard time. For example, four of us went to have tea at the Grand Floridian today. Usually, this is booked solid from opening to closing, but while we were there, we saw many opportunities where anyone could have walked up and have been seated immediately. I saw the same thing at the Yak and Yeti restaurant at DAK yesterday as well as the new T-Rex restaurant at Downtown Disney last week.

I feel that the parks really need to step it up, and give people a real reason to come. Something like "The American Idol Experience" is not going to cut it. Especially when parks like Universal and Sea World are spending millions of dollars on new attractions to lure people away from Disney.

Could it be their overpriced etc food. Seems like they have raised the prices trying to get people to think they are getting a great deal with the dining plans....we were just there on vacation I thought that seemed higher....we just ate less or went off site.

 

[manning]

Could it be their overpriced etc food. Seems like they have raised the prices trying to get people to think they are getting a great deal with the dining plans....we were just there on vacation I thought that seemed higher....we just ate less or went off site.

What does a hamburger cost now? I was there in Jan. and I believe I saw it go up 50 cents in one day. I was 5.09 to 5.59 or 6.09 to 6.59. can't remembe which.

About 10 years ago it was about $6-7.00, but it was a BIG hamburger. I mean big!!

 

[MemoToMe]

Could it be their overpriced etc food. Seems like they have raised the prices trying to get people to think they are getting a great deal with the dining plans....we were just there on vacation I thought that seemed higher....we just ate less or went off site.

That could very well be. A friend of mine calls it the "Las Vegas effect". Since so many people who gamble there get their meals comped, that they artificially inflate prices at certain resorts to make it seem like you're getting a great deal.

I remember when I was at DAK the other day and saw the prices for Yak and Yeti, and practically fainted. Entres at upwards of $20+ for lunch??? I noticed the same thing for Tutto Itallia at Epcot. Granted, there are a lot of people who still opt for the Dining Plan, but I'm guessing that people are starting to take a long, hard look to whether the plan is a really good value.

 

[scooter15]

There was a snippet on the news this am basically saying attendance is good but guest spending once they arrive is waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy down and that is what is causing the layoffs.

I've heard from friends that this was planned a long time ago. They're using the bad economy to their advantage to implement the plan they've had in the books for quite some time. There was a layoff back in 2001 and that was just the first of the many in years to come. With the economy tanking they felt that this was the perfect time. They also had many in top positions that had no where else to go and frankly they were making too much for their taste. I understand restructuring in a company as I've been victim to it before however integrating 2 entirely different locations doesn't make much sense. Who know's might work for them or it may backfire once people start spending and want more.

 

[WDSearcher]

I feel that the parks really need to step it up, and give people a real reason to come. Something like "The American Idol Experience" is not going to cut it. Especially when parks like Universal and Sea World are spending millions of dollars on new attractions to lure people away from Disney.

Except that both Universal and SeaWorld are suffering the same economic problems, layoffs, hours cuts, job loss that Disney is. And even if Disney announced tomorrow that they were building a new themed coaster, it would be two years before it came online. So it's not like that will help today. All that would do is cause people to say, "Well ... we were going to go to WDW next year, but let's wait until Roller Coaster XYZ comes on line a year later." Not exactly helping.

Parks like SeaWorld and Universal are finishing projects that were announced years ago and have nothing else on the books. It's simply luck of the draw that they just happen to be building / opening new coasters this year. It's not like the head of AB/InBev looked into their crystal ball three years ago and said, "You know ... in 2008/09 there's going to be a financial crisis, so let's start building a new coaster now so that we have something new that year!" Hindsight is 20/20.

Believe it or not, American Idol IS bringing people into the parks. I know the AI critics don't like to hear it, but people who would have never come to the studios are going there to audition, watch or support their friends. It's doing just as well as any other new show attraction ... better than some.

 

[granmanh603]

That could very well be. A friend of mine calls it the "Las Vegas effect". Since so many people who gamble there get their meals comped, that they artificially inflate prices at certain resorts to make it seem like you're getting a great deal.

I remember when I was at DAK the other day and saw the prices for Yak and Yeti, and practically fainted. Entres at upwards of $20+ for lunch??? I noticed the same thing for Tutto Itallia at Epcot. Granted, there are a lot of people who still opt for the Dining Plan, but I'm guessing that people are starting to take a long, hard look to whether the plan is a really good value.

I don't even remember the price of the burger this time because we didn't get any at the parks...but the hot dogs were over $6 and that is one on those crumby rolls and you can hardly find it. We only get the hambuger if you can get it at a place with fixin so you can actually eat it..(but I must say the burger for 11.99 at the Turf club and some of the other sit down restaurants is good but I also have the TIW card (use that instead of the meal plan)to get 20% off. I don't remember them being 7 , 10 years go, going 2X a year since 2000 and rembember them being a fair price in the $ range
Also I forgot to mention that the choices on the menus stink....they are all pretty much the same stuff with a few changes thrown in and not many choices at that, like 6 or 8 1 steak, 1 chicken, 1 fish etc. really boring and super expensive for the food choices offered. I'd say you do much better off site.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Except that both Universal and SeaWorld are suffering the same economic problems, layoffs, hours cuts, job loss that Disney is. And even if Disney announced tomorrow that they were building a new themed coaster, it would be two years before it came online. So it's not like that will help today. All that would do is cause people to say, "Well ... we were going to go to WDW next year, but let's wait until Roller Coaster XYZ comes on line a year later." Not exactly helping.

Parks like SeaWorld and Universal are finishing projects that were announced years ago and have nothing else on the books. It's simply luck of the draw that they just happen to be building / opening new coasters this year. It's not like the head of AB/InBev looked into their crystal ball three years ago and said, "You know ... in 2008/09 there's going to be a financial crisis, so let's start building a new coaster now so that we have something new that year!" Hindsight is 20/20.

Believe it or not, American Idol IS bringing people into the parks. I know the AI critics don't like to hear it, but people who would have never come to the studios are going there to audition, watch or support their friends. It's doing just as well as any other new show attraction ... better than some.

I believe the point being made was at least Universal is still making an attempt to improve their park.....giving you new reasons to come back. Disney is giving you American Idol....yuck.

You are right.....if they started today it will be at least 2 years before anything would open. You know what.....in 2 years......there will now be NOTHING new....that's a long time to wait for something fresh in the park entertainment business.

Remember the excitement as Everest construction began to show....you could see it from different places in the park.....everyone talked about it. I don't hear many WOO HOO's about American Idol.